Grand Seiko Spring Drive U.F.A.

The pursuit of high accuracy has been the cornerstone of Grand Seiko’s values since its first watch was created in 1960. Less than 10 years after its birth, Grand Seiko introduced the mechanical V.F.A., standing for “Very Fine Adjusted.” First used in 1969, this designation defined a Grand Seiko watch that was adjusted so skillfully that it achieved an astonishing monthly rate of ±1 minute. In the late 1970s, the development of Spring Drive began with an aim to harmoniously blend the traditional energy of a mainspring with state-of-the-art electronic watchmaking advancements. In 2004, Grand Seiko introduced the Spring Drive Caliber 9R65, which paired automatic winding and 72 hours of power reserve with a movement technology capable of a monthly rate of ±15 seconds, setting a new standard among movements powered by a mainspring.

Today, this legacy of accuracy in watchmaking reaches new heights with the announcement of the Spring Drive Caliber 9RB2, which receives the new U.F.A. designation, standing for “Ultra Fine Accuracy.” The groundbreaking movement boasts a level of precision defined not by accuracy in seconds per day, week, or month, but by its accuracy over one year. The automatic U.F.A. movement has an astounding annual rate of ±20 seconds, making it the most accurate wristwatch movement powered by a mainspring today.* Thanks to the movement’s compact design, the new watches have a case diameter of just 37mm, making them the smallest models powered by the 9R series to date and ideal for smaller wrists.